Would you do it again?

[Clark.W.Griswold]

After driving the RR for a few days now, I have to say that the RR is much better driving experience than the 3rd gen Tacoma. Although I loved that truck, it was awful on the highway. I always tried to rationalize the horrible transmission in that truck. I also understand that the RR is six years newer than my Tacoma and technology improves.

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[jeffers]

From a reliability standpoint, it’s way too soon to tell. A few months without major problems does not make it reliable. Check again in 2-3 years, or take the plunge.

There is a little bit of a track record with the 3.0L in the Bronco Raptor. I don't know what the track record says though.

 

[Velociraptor]

From a reliability standpoint, it’s way too soon to tell. A few months without major problems does not make it reliable. Check again in 2-3 years, or take the plunge.

These trucks have been in the international market for years and have been fine. So I suspect we’ll see the same reliability.

 

[NPTR]

Will report back in more detail - but 120 miles over two days with my RR, and this thing feels like a Rolls Royce compared to '17 Taco. Typical Ford quality control stuff in some spots, but for the money, this is a VERY compelling package. Really happy with the ride quality, feel, size, steering/engine feel, etc. Much more to learn and experience, but first impressions are incredibly good...really happy with her so far. Will post a more detailed comparison at the ~500-1000 mile mark when I can give a more accurate assessment...but two thumbs up so far. And the one thing I thought I would dislike the most (the massive screen) I actually love...it just works great, no denying the utility in a vehicle like this.

 

[pablo94sc]

No regrets, but with the '25 Maverick supposedly getting hybrid AWD, I'm a little frustrate. That would have been the perfect truck for 95% of my use case. The other 5% is really why I bought the Raptor, and I know deep down that I'd kick myself in the butt if I didn't buy it because I'd still be looking at vehicles for more serious off-road adventures.

 

[Richard Conley]

There is a little bit of a track record with the 3.0L in the Bronco Raptor. I don't know what the track record says though.

Also used in the Explorer ST. The motor itself has been used extensively but only those have the twin turbos. Also used in a Lincoln SUV.

 

[jeffers]

After driving the RR for a few days now, I have to say that the RR is much better driving experience than the 3rd gen Tacoma. Although I loved that truck, it was awful on the highway. I always tried to rationalize the horrible transmission in that truck. I also understand that the RR is six years newer than my Tacoma and technology improves.

I had a 2005 Tacoma PreRunner, nice truck but the Ranger has a much better ride, maybe not better handling.

 

[NPTR]

I can say for a fact the ride quality / handling is miles ahead of my 2017 TRD pro, which felt a bit smaller and more nimble / lighter, but much less settled, bouncy and more body roll. The raptor stays planted, feels much more civilized when you want it to be, and pretty low body roll for a truck if its size / weight. Very impressive. I’m sure I’ll miss a bit of the simplicity of the Taco…but that’s more nostalgia and less reality…it’s early days but this truck is 10x the machine. Long term verdict will come down to reliability and quality control, which only time will tell.

 

[Phade]

I am almost 3 mos in and 1,300 miles on my cactus gray RR. I also own a fifth gen 4Runner. Wife had a RAV4 Prime. Sold that and gave her my 4Runner (with Fox 2.5s and tons of toys, lol).

Pros: Truck is fun to drive. It really is. Love the tech in it when it works. Comfortable ride quality.

Cons: Lack of rear vent and vented seats. Wished the rear window went down like the 4Runner. Build quality. I have several minor to medium level build quality issues. Panel alignment. Taillight rub which is chipping paint. And others. Dealbreaker? No, but definitely annoying and 100% different experience owning two made in Japan Toyotas.

If Toyota made this truck, it would scream perfection IMO.

 

[fordtrks4ever]

Mine is a Lariat but sure I would do it again no buyers remorse at all.
It is a lot less than my 2019 F150 Platinum but I was aware of what I was getting from day 1
Just wish it would have been the one I ordered.

 

[NPTR]

I am almost 3 mos in and 1,300 miles on my cactus gray RR. I also own a fifth gen 4Runner. Wife had a RAV4 Prime. Sold that and gave her my 4Runner (with Fox 2.5s and tons of toys, lol).

Pros: Truck is fun to drive. It really is. Love the tech in it when it works. Comfortable ride quality.

Cons: Lack of rear vent and vented seats. Wished the rear window went down like the 4Runner. Build quality. I have several minor to medium level build quality issues. Panel alignment. Taillight rub which is chipping paint. And others. Dealbreaker? No, but definitely annoying and 100% different experience owning two made in Japan Toyotas.

If Toyota made this truck, it would scream perfection IMO.

Agree with most of the above, sans the vented seats. Would add power, cabin size / feel (and quiet) and bed width to the pros list, as the size really is perfect..larger then a normal mid sized, smaller than a bigger raptor, perfect.

I don’t understand where vented seats became standard though - it’s a luxury item I know people like, and if it was offered as an option I guess that would be nice, but I don’t view the lack of it in a truck an outright negative. Maybe if a 7 series lacked it I’d say outright negative, but not a mid sized truck, IMO.

On the build quality issue side, would add in seats - they look incredible and feel really nice / comfy, but as pointed out in another thread, the stitching is off and covers loose fitting…hopefully Ford will remedy in the future or break in will help but check out the issues tab for pics if that.

All that said, I’m in love, and would this over again even if a TRD Pro was the same price as I don’t like that engine. And I assume Ford will jack up the price on these in future years as they def have room to move higher given the competition and this package.

 

[Ranger XLT Fan]

2019 Tacoma TRD Pro to 2025 Ranger XLT. I'm sure new Tacoma are good. But they're too expensive for a 4 cyl. So I went with the Ranger XLT with the 2.7L...and love it. Only had it two months so far. But it is great. I bet the Ranger Raptors are even better. But a little more than I wanted to spend.

Favorite feature is the 2.7L engine. I was hesitant to go with Ford over Toyota. But I think that Toyota is no longer the legendary engine it was in the past. And Ford has closed the gap in my opinion. But so far, so good. I would absolutely get a Ford Ranger again.

 

[Clark.W.Griswold]

It's funny... this post came up in my email, and I was about to comment on it... until I realized that I was the one that asked the question.

Here is my answer: I have a 2024 Ranger Raptor, and I would do it again 100%. It is not even a question. It drives so much better than the Gen3 Tacoma. The transmission can actually deal with highway speeds. The truck with the FP tune gets up and scoots, and it is a lot of fun.

 

[Lion77]

Just an FYI, the 3.0L EB debuted way back in 2016....the 2016 Lincoln Continental had a 3.0L Ecoboost V6 option. It was used in the 2019+ Aviator and still is. It's also used in 2020 or new Explorer Police Interceptor models (up-fit option). Then in the 2022 and up Bronco Raptors and also in the global Ranger Raptor that's been out since 2022. Then also in the 2020 and up Explorer ST's.

My buddy has a 2021 ST that's just over 130k now with the 3.0L, he finally did an induction cleaning at 130k (not because he had issues, but as preventative). Aside from that, just normal maintenance and he didn't even run synthetic until just now (used the factory motorcraft blend at 10k intervals).

His ST is stock (not tune). He's meticulous on maintenance, is patient with warmups (i.e., not thrashing it on cold engine or transmission), but has no issue hooning it once warmed up. Handed me the keys one time said, "wait til it warms up, then you can do what you want", so I did and loved the 3.0L + 10R60 ever since. He even went to a private air strip (off road) and topped it out at 140 mph just because.

I think you'll be ok. The biggest concern isn't the 3.0L's design or weather it's proven (I'd say it is, since 2016), it's just built quality (i.e., did you get one with a mfg. defect, either assembly error or part supplier) and more importantly, maintenance.

Also, the 2.7l NANO, while not the same, does share the same block as the 3.0L, the 3.0L's block is a bored and stroked 2.7L block, but many of the parts in the 3.0L are more performance oriented than the 2.7L's, like the pistons:

2.7L NANO pistons (right) vs. the BEEFY 3.0L pistons (left).

The skirt on the 3.0L pistons is much larger and thicker, as is the wrist pin section. Both piston feature cast in steel top land ring liners, which is diesel tech from the 6.7L PowerStroke, as is the CGI engine blocks shared by the 2.7L / 3.0L (CGI blocks are also turbo diesel tech). Audi uses CGI for their 2.9L / 3.0L TT V6's in the S series that are also around 400~444 HP. Square V6 config, very potent and proven V6 architecture, not just Ford making square 3.0L V6's with CGI blocks.

The 3.0L Pistons also include oil cooling gallery holes for oil spray up into the piston for cooling piston rings which allows for operating temperature of around 100F lower than those without, typically also found on turbo Diesel pistons, for enhanced reliability under demanding use.

Yah it's a well-designed engine (mfg. defects and user errors aside, which any engine and mfg. is prone to at times).

 

[bonesurgeon]

I went from a 2017 f150 raptor to the 24 ranger raptor. Yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I love the Ranger raptor. It is so much fun to drive and the transmission is infinitely better than my 17. It could use a larger gas tank and a rear AC unit but those issues I’m willing to overlook Because the performance and handling is remarkable.

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